Rushmore [DVD] [1999] [Multilingual] [Region 1]

Limited theatrical release: December 11, 1998.
Major theatrical release: February 5, 1999.
The film was shot on location in Houston, Texas. The school used was St. John's School, director Wes Anderson's own prep school. While in Middle School at St. John's, Anderson put on plays based on films such as THE ALAMO, STAR WARS, and THE GAMBLER. One of Anderson's St. John's classmates, Michael Maggart, played the concierge at the hotel that Herman Blume stays in.
Anderson and Owen Wilson wrote the role of Herman Blume with Bill Murray in mind.
Anderson initially wanted a "young Mick Jagger," or Noah Taylor (FLIRTING, THE YEAR MY VOICE BROKE)-type, for the role of Max but upon meeting Jason Schwartzman thought him perfect for the role, as sort of a "young Dustin Hoffman."
Jason Schwartzman is the son of Talia Shire and the nephew of Francis Ford Coppola. He also is the drummer for the band Phantom Planet.
Max's list of club positions include: Editor in Chief of the yearbook, the RUSHMORE YANKEE; Publisher of THE YANKEE REVIEW; French Club President; Russia, in the Model United Nations; Vice President of the Stamp and Coin Club; Captain of the Debate Team; Manager of the Lacrosse Team; Caligraphy Club President; Astronomy Society Founder; Fencing Team Captain; Track and Field, J.V. decathalon athlete; 2nd Choral Choirmaster; Bombardment Society Founder; Kung Fu Club Yellow Belt; Trap and Skeet Club Founder; Director of the Max Fischer Players; a flyer in the Piper Cub Club (with 4.5 hours logged); Backgammon Club Founder; and Wrestling Team alternate.
Max's mother's tombstone reads: Eloise Fischer/1942-1989/Beloved wife of Bert/And mother of Max/The paths of glory lead/But to the grave.
Anderson wanted to include a helicopter scene with Max and Mr. Blume, but Disney refused to pay for it. Murray, in a charitable spirit, gave Anderson a blank check, but Anderson never cashed it, and the scene was never shot.
Herman Blume's plunge into the pool was inspired by THE GRADUATE and meant to indicate his self-isolation.
RUSHMORE was selected as Best Film of 1998 by Premiere magazine.
Bill Murray won Best Supporting Actor honors from the L.A. Film Critics, N.Y. Film Critics Circle, and the National Society of Film Critics for his performance in the film.
In 2000, Jason Schwartzman supplied the voice of the monkey Julius in the online cartoon JULIUS & FRIENDS.